Apply to be a 2026 DVAA Fellow
Open Call for the 2026 fellowship program:
DVAA is now accepting applications for our 2026 Fellowship program.
Inspired by the vision of DVAA’s founders to provide a creative refuge for marginalized artists, the DVAA Fellowship Program was created in 2018 to better serve the DVAA Membership and the arts communities of Philadelphia. We annually support underserved artists with innovative ideas through five distinct Fellowship tracks. Fellows accepted into the program are encouraged to develop and pursue experimental concepts and themes within their exhibition with the support of DVAA staff and resources.
What we offer:
3-week long exhibition in DVAA curated by the Fellowship artist
2 years of free Artist Membership with DVAA
Financial Stipend - $500.00
Support over the course of the year through monthly events, workshops, critiques, and one-on-one meetings
Logistical and conceptual assistance from DVAA’s Residency and Fellowship Director and DVAA staff
Marketing support from DVAA’s Marketing Coordinator
Artist profile on the DVAA website
In 2026, each Fellowship Track will exhibit in one of our two galleries for a month in the Fall (September - November).
What is Expected:
The Fellowship is a year-long partnership between DVAA and the selected artists.
Fellowship artists are expected to be active members of the DVAA community throughout their fellowship term by actively engaging in DVAA programs and events. They will be invited and strongly encouraged to attend meetups with other Fellows and Resident artists in their cohort.
Each Fellowship artist is expected to create programs related to their exhibition to create opportunities for audience members to connect deeper to the work on view.
DVAA’s Fellowship Director and the rest of the staff will be able to provide guidance and assistance towards the installation of the exhibition and any corresponding events. However, as the leader of their Fellowship project, each Fellow is responsible for ensuring all deadlines are met on time, and project needs are communicated with ample time. The Fellows are the main point of contact for their exhibition and related programming.
Stipends are paid in the early summer, prior to the Fellowship exhibitions. Fellows must provide a W9, a plan for outside engagement during their exhibition, and a completed marketing form in order to receive payment of their stipend.
artwork courtesy of 2021, 2022, 2023, & 2024 Fellowship cohorts
DVAA Gallery Floor Plans
Click to expand Gallery 1 floor plan
Click to expand Gallery 2 floor plan
Who Can Apply:
The Da Vinci Fellowship Program is designed to support historically underrepresented and underserved artists at any point in their careers. Underrepresented and underserved refers to communities or groups who have disproportionately been denied access and/or experienced insufficient and inadequate representation in the visual arts due to institutional discrimination.
To qualify, applicants must be:
Over 18
Planning to live in the greater Philadelphia region during the full year of the program
Not currently enrolled in another fellowship or degree-granting program
Able to articulate need (financial hardship, lack of experience, or other institutional barriers)
FELLOWSHIP APPLICANTS MAY APPLY FOR ONE OF FIVE FELLOWSHIP TRACKS:
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The Collective Futures Fellowship Track is an innovative program launching in 2026 designed to nurture collaborative artistic practices and community-based creative initiatives. This fellowship recognizes that many of today's most impactful artistic endeavors emerge from collective thinking, shared resources, and collaborative creation. We seek visionary artist collectives ready to expand their practice, deepen their impact, and build sustainable models for collaborative work.
Fellows will explore approaches to collective art-making while receiving comprehensive support to strengthen their collaborative foundations. The track emphasizes:
Developing sustainable models for collective artistic production
Exploring innovative approaches to shared leadership and decision-making
Building community engagement strategies
Eligibility — This fellowship welcomes applications from artist collectives with:
At least two years of collaborative practice
A demonstrated commitment to collective decision-making
A compelling vision for how mentorship will strengthen their practice and community
Willingness to document and share collective processes
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This fellowship honors Linda Dubin Garfield's lifelong commitment to art as a tool for advocacy. It supports one Philadelphia-based printmaker in developing a curatorial project using printmaking. Successful proposals must create collaborative opportunities that address challenges facing Philadelphia communities while exploring potential solutions. Fellows receive dedicated studio time at BYOprint, a local community printshop, to create portions of their exhibition.
Eligibility — This fellowship welcomes applications from artist collectives with:
Must be a Philadelphia-based printmaker with demonstrated printmaking experience
Previous curatorial or project organization experience preferred but not required
Demonstrated interest in socially engaged art practices
Willingness to collaborate with local communities and BYOprint community printshop
Ability to commit to the full fellowship timeline, including studio time requirements
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Named for Michelle Angela Ortiz, who has spent over 25 years using art to represent people and communities whose histories are often erased or appropriated in our neighborhood.
This fellowship enables one artist/curator to explore personal narratives of marginalized identities through community engagement. Fellows will develop an exhibition with related programming that examines, explores, and challenges Euro-centric narratives.
Eligibility
Artists/curators with some experience in community-engaged art practices
Demonstrated commitment to amplifying marginalized voices and narratives
Prior experience working with communities in collaborative art processes
Understanding of ethical community engagement practices
Connection to or familiarity with the communities being engaged
Portfolio that demonstrates thoughtful exploration of cultural narratives
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Kathryn Pannepacker revitalized DVAA in 1997 and continues to work deeply in partnership with local communities around criminal justice, the opioid crisis, and the politics surrounding displacement. This Fellowship track offers an opportunity for one artist/curator to create an exhibition and related programming exploring social, political, and/or cultural content that engages local communities in and external to the DVAA space.
Eligibility
Artists/curators with demonstrated interest in social justice themes
Experience in or strong commitment to community-based art initiatives
Ability to navigate complex social and political topics with sensitivity
Willingness to engage with communities beyond traditional gallery settings
Capacity to develop programming that extends exhibition impact
Interest in addressing local Philadelphia challenges through artistic practice
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Created to honor Linda Lee Alter—a celebrated Philadelphia artist, collector, philanthropist, and founder of the Leeway Foundation. This fellowship annually provides one queer artist/curator the opportunity to create an exhibition with related programming exploring themes of connection, transformation, liberation, and LGBTQ+ narratives.
Eligibility
Self-identified LGBTQ+ artist or curator
Portfolio that demonstrates engagement with queer themes or perspectives
Commitment to exploring narratives of connection, transformation, or liberation
Interest in developing programming that fosters dialogue within and beyond LGBTQ+ communities
Ability to create inclusive spaces for diverse participants
After an initial review by the Exhibitions Committee, finalists will undergo an interview process with DVAA staff who will alert all candidates with their decision by September 1st.
DVAA's Commitment to Equity
DVAA welcomes all artists to apply for membership and programs while maintaining a strong commitment to equity. We give priority consideration to artists from historically underrepresented groups in the arts. Our residency and fellowship programs support artists at all career stages.
Reflection Questions for Your Proposal
When preparing your application, consider addressing:
How will this opportunity specifically advance your artistic practice?
How might your participation benefit the DVAA community?
Have you previously had access to similar opportunities or resources?
What privileges or barriers have shaped your artistic practice and career?
These reflections will strengthen your proposal and help us understand your unique perspective and needs.
After an initial review by the Exhibitions Committee, finalists will undergo an interview process with DVAA staff who will alert all candidates with their decision by September 1st.
Application Materials
[200-300 words] Artist or Collective biography
[300-500 words] Letter of intent. Include: anticipated outcomes of the exhibition, overall exhibition concept, title of exhibition, main questions you are seeking to answer/ask, and demonstration of need
[300-500 words] Include: 1) community engagement plan that outlines who the intended audience is, how you will engage with this community, and how it ties to your exhibition; 2) proposed artists/artworks; 3) logistical considerations such as installation plans or needs, how you will work within the confines of the gallery space, and where assistance will be needed.
High-quality images, at 300dpi (can include installation shots, video documentation, and/or artwork images)
Additional application materials (can include diagrams, sketches of proposed work, installation plans, performance plans, etc.)
Submitting an Application
Only digital applications will be accepted, submit through the buttons below
Application Fee $5
Deadline to Apply May 31st, 11:59 PM
Applicant Notification By September 1st
AGREEMENT
By submitting to this call, the artist is agreeing to allow DVAA to use images of the artwork on its website and social media, if awarded a fellowship. Artist retains full copyright of the work. Images will not be used by DVAA aside from the DVAA website, press releases, and social media posts.
If you have questions about the Da Vinci Residency program or need support in the application process, please contact our Fellowship + Residency Coordinator at kara@davinciartalliance.org